Container having improved dispensing and storage capabilities

ABSTRACT

Generally described, the present invention relates to the use of a flexible container for use in dispensing a deformable material, which includes a plurality of seals along the length of the container. As the container is emptied, the seals would be spaced in such a way that each section would interlock and in doing so would contain the material and not allow it to be squeezed any further back towards the bottom of the container than the last interlocked section.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the storage of materials thatmay be stored in and subsequently discharged from a flexible container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of flexible containers for the dispensing of items such astoothpaste is well known. However, there is always a need in the art toprovide improvements for same.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Generally described, the present invention relates to the use of aflexible container for use in storing and subsequently dispensing adeformable material, which includes at least one intermediate andpossibly a plurality of seals along the length of the container. As thecontainer is emptied, the seals would be spaced in such a way that eachsection would interlock and in doing so would contain the material andnot allow it to be squeezed any further back towards the bottom of thecontainer than the last interlocked section. It should also beunderstood that this could also provide more accurate dispensing from atube.

Therefore it is an object of the present invention to provide animproved dispensing apparatus and method for using same.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improveddispensing apparatus and method for using same which includes aplurality of seals therein.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improveddispensing apparatus and method for using same which includes aplurality of independent seals therein.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improveddispensing apparatus and method for using same which includes aplurality of independent seals therein, which may be initially openduring the initial containment of material within the associatedcontainer, but progressively closed as the container is emptied.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent upon reading the following detailed description of thepreferred embodiment of the invention when taken in conjunction with thedrawing and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will nowbe made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn toscale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an illustrative view of the invention, which shows a flexiblecontainer 10 (such as a toothpaste tube but not to be so limited) whichincludes a plurality (in actuality five) of selectively engageabletransverse seals 20, which includes mating seal portions 20A, 20B. Theseals 20, define storage sections 30 therebetween. It may be understoodthat the spacing of the seals could be varied to dispense a givenamount. Each segment's seal is similar to a reclosable sandwich bag. Theportions 20A, 20B, can be mated together for sealing, and if desiredopened for unsealing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present inventions now will be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodimentsof the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied inmany different forms and should not be construed as limited to theembodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided sothat this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fullyconvey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

The basic concept for this application can be most easily understoodwhen applied to a normal tooth paste tube but could be applied to anyproduct dispensed from a tube such as, but not limited to, modelingblue, dedicated creams, painting caulk, epoxy (or components thereof),etc. The interior of the tube would be manufactured with a series ofinterlocking ridges similar to a re-sealable sandwich bag's lockingsystem.

In one embodiment, the seals 20 could be spaced in such a way that asthe toothpaste was squeezed out of the tube 10 from the bottom up, eachsection would interlock and in doing so would contain the toothpaste andnot allow it to be squeezed any further back towards the bottom of thetube than the last interlocked section.

In one embodiment, the spacing should be close enough so as to not allowpockets of toothpaste to be trapped in the tube prior to being squeezedout. A possible additional feature might be a one way valve or flap thatwould allow any toothpaste trapped between sections to be squeezed outtoward the tube but not re-enter.

It should also be understood that the seal could also be of the typewhich includes a graspable zipper tab, or is locked by simply pushingthe two seals together from opposing sides. It should also be understoodthat the seal could be of the type that easily locks but is moredifficult to unlock.

Other applications of this concept are limitless but some furtherspecific applications are listed below:

Re-sealable bags could be manufactured on a continuous roll withinterlocking sections at a given spacing (for example 1 pint) and thenthe consumer could have a bag that could be cut (by a cutting mechanismbuilt into the box) to be used as any desired multiple of the spacing(for example 1 pint, 2 pint, 3 pint, etc.). One potential containercould be severed at either end of such a configuration, if the seals arespaced equally, or the invention also contemplates the use of relativelyclose “pairs” of seals, with each pair spaced along the tube ofcontaining material, such that a cut could be made in between aclosely-spaced pair of seals, so as to reduce waste. In this case thewaste would be between the closely spaced seals as opposed to sealsspaced at a distance so as to contain a desired volume (for example 1pint) within a segment 30.

This application would be very beneficial in instances where it isdesired to get as much of the product out of the tube as possible suchas in icing a cake. It would also be useful in instances where a desirednumber of units are required to be dispensed such as in applying haircolor or mixing epoxy glue components.

The invention could be referred to under the LADDERLOC trademark.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come tomind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains havingthe benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions andthe associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that theinvention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed andthat modifications and other embodiments are intended to be includedwithin the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms areemployed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense onlyand not for purposes of limitation.

1. A container for dispensing a product, said dispenser comprising: atleast two side wall panels; and a plurality of seals configured toconnect said side wall panels such that differing dispensing volumes maybe provided depending on the engagement of said seals.
 2. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein said seals are resealable.
 3. A method fordispensing product from a flexible container, said method comprising thesteps of: providing a container having at least two side wall panels andat least one seal configured to connect said side wall panels such thatdiffering dispensing volumes may be provided depending on the engagementor disengagement of said seal; dispensing material with said sealdisengaged until an amount of material has been expended from a first,larger, dispensing volume; sealing said seal such that a smallerdispensing volume is provided; and dispensing said product from saidsecond, smaller, dispensing volume.
 4. A dispensing apparatus, saiddispensing apparatus comprising: a pair of cofacing side walls; aplurality of spaced-apart seals, such that sealing or unsealing theseals provides a selective variation of dispensing apparatus capacity.5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said seals are resealable.